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Don Simpson, 70, is awarded the Silver Star from Congressman Raul Ruiz, MD. for his service in Vietnam at American Legion Hemet Post 53 in Hemet Saturday, July 1, 2017.

Don Simpson, 70, is going to be awarded the Silver Star for his service in Vietnam on July 1 in Hemet. he was nominated for it, but the paperwork was never processed at the American Legion Post No 53 in Hemet Thursday, June 30, 2017.

It took 50 years, but Don Simpson has finally been awarded the Silver Star he never knew he had earned while serving in the Army in Vietnam.

The 70-year-old lifelong Hemet resident was presented his medal Saturday, July 1, in a well-attended ceremony at the Hemet American Legion post.

He earned the honor for his valor during a firefight Feb. 12, 1967, where his actions helped save lives after members of his squadron came under attack.

The Silver Star — awarded for gallantry in action — is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States military.

Simpson said he didn’t realize he was even eligible for a medal until years later.

Keeping cool under fire

He said he never thought about any accolades from that day, when, under fire, he kept a cool head and called in for air support.

“For many years, nobody ever talked about it,” Simpson said. “Even the day after the action, nobody talked about it. The next morning we just loaded up the dead and wounded, we put up our gear and we just moved out to just do it all over again.”

Simpson, who was a 20-year-old radio operator at the time, said his platoon went out on patrol during a time in which a cease-fire was supposed to be in effect, but took heavy fire after flying into an area without any backup support.

Of the patrol’s 18 members, four were killed and eight were wounded.

“We hit a pretty good sized force,” Simpson said. “During this time, a lot of rounds went right past me, ticked my clothing, hit my gear and I kinda spun around and fell.”

Simpson said he was able to hide behind a hedge, lying flat on his stomach while being shot at any time he moved.

After being separated from his commander, Simpson was able to radio for help.

“I’m here, I have the radio, Ieadership’s separated from me and it’s like panic,” Simpson said. “It’s like you want to run but you know you can’t. I made the decision if something doesn’t happen here, we’re all going to die.”

Simpson was able to talk to a pilot who — despite concerns about the danger to nearby U.S. troops — dropped a bomb that finally made it safe for the surviving soldiers to be rescued.

‘What did you get for that?’

Years later, Simpson shared his story a couple times with students at West Valley High School in Hemet, joined by Ronnie Imel, a colleague at the American Legion.

“After a couple of years of hearing my story, Ronnie Imel said, ‘What did you get for that?’ ” Simpson said. “I said, ‘What do you mean, what did I get for that?’ “

Imel pointed out to Simpson that he went above and beyond what his job was that day, putting his life at risk to save others.

“I said ‘I didn’t get anything out of it. I’m alive,’” Simpson said. “That’s basically what I told him.”

That wasn’t enough for Imel, who assists fellow veterans through his Veterans Paying it Forward organization.

Imel started researching the event and helped get proper verification, working with the office of Congressman Raul Ruiz, D-La Quinta, to ensure Simpson would receive his well-deserved recognition.

Honoring a local hero

Patrick Keplinger, veteran caseworker for Ruiz, said it’s required to go through the chain of command to validate such events, which included contacting Simpson’s superior officers from 50 years ago.

He said the effort was worth it as it’s important to remember what troops did, even if it was five decades ago.

“It was a different climate back then,” Keplinger said. “A lot of vets want to move away from it, to leave it behind. We didn’t treat them right and now we have a chance to go back.”

The Silver Star was presented to Simpson by Ruiz.

“I can’t think of a better way to kick off the Fourth of July weekend than honoring a local hero,” Ruiz told the crowd. “His actions embody the true meaning of valor.”

Ruiz said the nation owes a debt to people like Simpson, who served selflessly in battle.

“I am so humbled to award him,” Ruiz said. “The greatness of our nation is represented by people like Don Simpson.”

‘I’m honored by this’

Simpson did not speak during the hour-long ceremony. He pulled some tissue from his pocket and dabbed at his eyes occasionally as people praised him.

“The whole process has been humbling to me,” Simpson said the day before the ceremony. “I’m honored by this.”

The Simpson family has long roots in Hemet. Both of his parents graduated from Hemet High as did his wife and five children.

He was drafted into the Army in April 1966 and served two years, including 12 months in Vietnam starting in October 1966.

After his service, Simpson returned to Hemet and married his wife, Susie, in 1970. He spent 28 years working for the Eastern Municipal Water District and is now a real estate broker.

Simpson said he didn’t start sharing his story until he joined the First Cavalry Division Association and began attending reunions.

“I didn’t talk about any of it for almost 45 years,” he said. “I was just glad to make it, you know.”

SILVER STAR

The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. It is awarded for gallantry in action:

• While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;

• While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or

• While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

Actions that merit the Silver Star must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations but do not merit award of the meet Medal of Honor or a Service Cross (Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross).

Craig Shultz reports on communities in Riverside County, primarily Hemet, Menifee, Perris and San Jacinto. A journalist for more than three decades, he has reported on everything from sports to city halls and schools. He was previously the editor of The Hemet News and The Valley Chronicle. Shultz was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles and graduated from Cal State Northridge.